Ben Scheelen, a 33-year-old banker from Pelt in Limburg who lives in Antwerp, has been crowned Mister Gay Belgium 2026. He was announced as the winner on Saturday evening at Antwerp’s Elckerlyc Theatre, becoming the new national ambassador for Belgium‘s LGBTQIA+ community.
Now in its 11th edition, Mister Gay Belgium presents itself as more than a traditional beauty pageant. Contestants are expected to address social issues, share their personal LGBTQIA+ experiences and promote a cause or message of their choice. The winner represents Belgium’s LGBTQIA+ community at events in Belgium and abroad throughout his year in office.
A final combining entertainment and activism
The finalists faced a series of catwalks, interviews, debates and personal presentations during a show that combined entertainment with a focus on LGBTQI+ rights, visibility, diversity and social change.
Performers included Red Sebastian, Udo Mechels, Jean Sarkissyan, a finalist on ‘The Voice of Turkey‘, Samantha Jones, Miss Travestie Belgium 2026, and TRINXX.
The evening also gave the contestants an opportunity to explain their personal stories and causes, highlighting why visibility and representation remain important to them.
Jury selects new Mister Gay Belgium
Scheelen was chosen by a professional jury that included Gordon Heuckeroth, Herman Brusselmans, Anastasya Chernook, Faroek Özgünes, Red Sebastian, Jimmy Samijn, Sandrine André, Udo Mechels, Hetty Helsmoortel, Lynn Van Den Broeck, Melissa Van Hoydonck, and Mister Gay Europe Michael Pereira.
The jury praised Scheelen’s personal presentation, his quick response during the questions round and the authenticity with which he presented his personal story and campaign. His stage presence and confident appearance also impressed the judges.
The result was officially announced by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA).
Scheelen succeeds Imran Nawaz and will represent Belgium at national and international events over the coming year.
Campaign focuses on LGBTQIA+ life in rural Belgium
Scheelen used his campaign to highlight rural diversity, drawing on his own experience growing up in Pelt.
“I grew up as a farmer’s son in Pelt, surrounded by tractors and cows on my parents’ dairy farm. I loved living in the countryside, but I also experienced how difficult it can be to fully be yourself there when you don’t fit the traditional picture. I knew from an early age that I was attracted to boys, but I didn’t dare come out until I was 21. Not because my parents or friends would necessarily have reacted negatively, but simply because it was never talked about.
“Looking back, I often think that if I had grown up in Antwerp, Brussels or even Hasselt, I would probably have come out much earlier. In cities, diversity is visible and can be discussed. In rural areas, many LGBTQIA+ people feel much less visible and, as a result, sometimes very alone.”
“That is exactly why, as Mister Gay Belgium, I want to break down the barriers between the city and the countryside. I want LGBTQIA+ issues to be something people can talk about around the kitchen table, in sports clubs, at school and even in the barn. So that a young person in rural Belgium does not feel they have to leave home before they can be themselves.”
“Even today, I am sometimes asked: ‘Is this really necessary?’ And my answer is simple: as long as that question is being asked, it is necessary.
“Whether you are a farmer or a banker, whether you live in the countryside or the city, everyone should be able to be themselves. As Mister Gay Belgium, I don’t just want to tell my own story. I want to make sure other people feel less alone and know that there is a place where they can be completely themselves.”
Scheelen will continue to promote the issue during his year as Mister Gay Belgium, focusing on greater visibility, dialogue and equality for LGBTQIA+ people in rural communities.
Bervoets second, Kadioglu third
Laurens Bervoets, 28, from Berlaar, finished second (First Runner-Up), while Alaettin Kadioglu, 32, from Antwerp, took third place (Second Runner-Up).
Three additional awards were presented:
- Mister Gay Photogenic: Alaettin Kadioglu, 32, Antwerp.
- Mister Gay Congeniality: Laurens Bervoets, 28, Berlaar.
- Mister Gay Charity: Brandon Sittler, 30, Brussels.
‘Our rights cannot be taken for granted’
Mister Gay Belgium organiser Bram Bierkens said the event remains particularly relevant at a time when LGBTQIA+ rights are facing renewed pressure.
“We cannot take for granted the rights and freedoms that the LGBTQIA+ community has gained over the past decades. On the contrary. We are once again seeing a clear deterioration. World leaders and political movements are increasingly putting LGBTQIA+ rights under pressure, while social tolerance also appears to be declining in several places.”
“Various studies also show that social acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people is not continuing to increase everywhere. In some groups and countries, we are even seeing a reversal. That is particularly worrying. In Europe and closer to home, too, rights and freedoms that were previously won are once again being questioned.”
“The reality is that homosexuality is still criminalised in more than 70 countries [actually 66, ed.], and LGBTQIA+ people can even face the death penalty in some countries. But discrimination is not only expressed through laws. Hatred, exclusion, intimidation and an increasingly hostile public debate also have a huge impact on people.”
Bierkens said this was precisely why initiatives such as Mister Gay Belgium remain necessary.
“Mister Gay Belgium therefore goes far beyond a title or a gala. It is about visibility, representation and giving a voice to a community that still has to stand up for its rights. We need to keep speaking out, remain visible and, above all, keep building bridges. Rights that seem self-evident today are not automatically secured for the future.”
Belgium heading for European and world competitions
As Mister Gay Belgium 2026, Scheelen will also represent Belgium at the Mister Gay Europe and Mister Gay World competitions.
The Mister Gay Belgium final was broadcast live on OUTtv and will also be shown in several other countries. According to the organisers, the 11th edition attracted more than 65,000 viewers.
List of winners
- 2013: Tom Goris (Tremelo), D-Club, Antwerp.
- 2014: Willem Joris (Leuven), Sint-Augustinus Church, Antwerp.
- 2015: Skelte Willems (Aarschot), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2016: Raf Van Puymbroeck (Vosselaar), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2017: Jaimie Deblieck (Roeselare), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2018: Bart Hesters (Lochristi), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2019: Matthias De Roover (Lokeren), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2020: Joren Houtevels (Leuven), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2021: competition cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2022: Maarten Truijen (Kinrooi), Theater Elckerlyc, Antwerp.
- 2024: Imran Nawaz (Rijkevorsel), Play Zuid.
Discrimination is not an opinion!
Indeed!